THE-BEATTY-MINTOSH . COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 70

THE-BEATTY-MINTOSH . COMPANY.

The revival of "Camille" by the Beatty- \ M*lntosh Company drew a large audience i to "His Majesty's Theatre on the 18th hist. In' "essaying the part Camille, Miss Sj'lntosh challenged, comparison inevit- ; ably with many actresses of exceptional j ability who have appeared even iii a If cal \ theatre in the role with varying measures of j 'distinction, and it was a great compliment to her success that the critical scrutiny to ; ' which it was subjected found her interpr-s- j tation of the part fitted to • rank with^ the I " best of its predecessors. In " Camille," in- ; deed, Miss M'lntosh reveals herself as an emotional actress of exceptional capacity— a j capacity wfiieh might easily fail to be disclosed in* plays of a more ordinary melo- j dramatic class. Her acting was throughout ; artistic, clever,, and arresting. It made an j irresistible appeal as true to nature and j "inspired oblivion to the stage. Natural histrionic ability is absolutely essential in j ■the role of Camille, and Miss M'lntosh j assuredly possesses it In a high degree. She j lent ample colour, variety, and animation to her impersonation, rose without fail to the demands <>{ the great emotional passages of the play, was powerful extravagance,,ja.nd tautened intensity to _ the snapping point without ever lapsing into : that over-doing which is the undoing of many a well-intentioned etage performance. /There- was true art in the admirable Te- ,! Btraint which was a feature of her fine j acting in the last, pathetic scene of all. j Theatregoers -will retain the most pleasur- j aisle, recollections of Miss Madge M'lntosh j •in the role of Camille. If Miss TH'lntosh wqs-in her element in' her part, -Mr Harcourt Beatty was scarcely so fortunate in j the role of Armand Duval. An actor plays ] many parts, and they cannot all 6uit hint I ■equally weli. Mr Beatty's abilities, how- | $ver, enabled him to give a consistently I presentment -of the character, end he rose really well to the occasion in the great emotional scene between the lovers at the close of the fourth act. > The 'other members of the company showed on occasion that they felt the inspiration of the realism of the Camille of the hour, and acquitted themselves welL Mr Gaston MerVale " acted with his customary- ease and finish as the insinuating Comte de Varville, 'Slisß Norah Delaney was amusing as the intolerable Madame Prudence, and Nanine 'found * very natural impersonator in Miss tWinifred Gunn. Mr Rutland Beckett was Uiot particularly happy as Mons Duval, but Mr Tom Cannam could not possibly be otherwise than diverting as Gaston. The play was admirably staged, and met with j approval from the audience.